- Critical Mareeba water infrastructure project completed
- Raw Water Pump Station and Filtration System delivered with $2.4 million through Miles Government grants
- More than $7.5 million funding for Mareeba Shire Council through Queensland Government's Building Our Regions
The Miles Government funding of $2.4 million through the Building our Regions program and Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program has supported Mareeba Shire Council to complete the Raw Water Pump Station and Filtration System at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant to ensure reliable and safe drinking water for the community.
The Filtration System Project included the replacement of the outdated system through the construction of a new 6-cell filter block to reduce water loss, improve climate change resilience, and to ensure the provision of reliable and safe drinking water to the community now and into the future.
The project began in October 2022 after Mareeba Shire Council received $2 million funding from the Miles Government's Building Our Regions program to construct new the filters and a further $475,524 through the Miles Government's Local Government Grants and Subsidies program to upgrade the Raw Water Pump Station.
This builds on the $7.3 million investment through the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) for the Mareeba Regional Water Security project.
The project will reduce water loss and improve water security for the community and industry, through upgrades to the Mareeba water treatment plant clarifier system and replacing old water mains. Upgrades will also lead to improved water quality in the Barron River and the surrounding environment.
The Miles Government has invested $417 million into 370 Building our Regions projects across Queensland, supporting more than 3,000 construction jobs. This is in addition to funding and support for critical Council water projects including the Cairns Water Security project, the Mount Morgan Pipeline and the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline.
Mareeba Shire Council has received more than $7.5 million in funding towards infrastructure projects through the Building our Regions program to date.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:
"The Miles Government is proud to work with councils like Mareeba to deliver important drinking water and water treatment infrastructure for regional Queenslanders.
"Mareeba is a growing community and really highlights the importance of the Queensland Government working with Councils to deliver the core infrastructure they need. This helps Council's bottom line and it helps put downward pressure on rates and charges.
"This work is vital, not only to improve water security but to help ease cost of living, by keeping downward pressure on Council's water charges and rates.
"Our Labor government works with all Councils to deliver the infrastructure they need. Unlike the LNP who only ever cut funding and make excuses."
As stated by Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui:
"Labor continues to roll up our sleeves to deliver the infrastructure our community needs. I'll always be a champion for Far North Queensland communities and make sure we get our fair share from the Queensland Government.
"I'm proud to see our investments in Mareeba in projects like the Raw Water Pump Station and Filtration System at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant are helping to strengthen Council's drinking water supply.
"State funding for a project like this – that's $2 million Council doesn't need to stump up itself, which is helping to keep rates and water charges as low as they can be."
As stated by Mareeba Shire Council Mayor, Angela Toppin:
"Council has been investing in and advocating strongly for water security in our Shire for many years, and I am delighted that we have completed these critical projects at the Mareeba Water Treatment Plant.
"The Raw Water Pump Station Project includes a new electrical control station that has been built above the 1-in-100-year flood level and new immersible pumps. Relocating the electrical station to higher ground has addressed this potential hazard.
"We are pleased to receive this vital funding that combined with our own investment, will ensure we are delivering a safe, secure and reliable water supply for our residents and industry well into the future.
"These funded upgrades will not only help to improve our water quality but take pressure off other parts of the treatment process – also allowing us to increase the overall amount of water we can produce, which is a fantastic outcome for our community.
"On behalf of the Mareeba community, I thank the State Government for funding this vital infrastructure project that will provide water security for many years to come."
